Nobody quite knew what was happening at first, but when Erin Burton began to throw herself against a chair, her family knew the 45-year-old mother of three was in trouble and sprang into action.
“We were having dinner together, laughing and talking, changing music and washing dishes,” said Wendy Burton, Erin’s mother. The family had gathered at their summer home on Gambier Island to celebrate two birthdays, Erin’s and her aunt’s, on Saturday, July 21, when Erin became unconscious after choking.
Last weekend, BC Emergency Health Services (BCEHS) acknowledged Erin’s son, 12-year-old Spencer Greig, and her aunt Nancy Ashton for their actions during the health crisis. “What was so critical was that her family started CPR,” said paramedic Christine Borley. “And it worked.”
The Good Samaritan Award was presented to Spencer for providing “unselfish and humanitarian assistance during a medical emergency.” Ashton received the Vital Link Award for her involvement in “saving a life through successful cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) efforts,” as described by BCEHS. It’s a rare thing for a community to receive the two awards, according to Steve Reed from BCEHS.
During the Aug. 18 awards ceremony at the Gibsons Fire Hall, Reed emphasized the family’s collective efforts. When Erin gestured that she couldn’t breathe, her partner, Robert Dyke, and her mother attempted the Heimlich manoeuvre. Those efforts didn’t dislodge the possible obstruction and Erin began to lose consciousness. That’s when Erin’s son, Spencer, called 911. “I can’t believe he even thought to do that,” said Wendy Burton. By that point, Erin had begun to turn blue, said Wendy, which is when Ashton initiated CPR. Wendy worked alongside her, speaking to her unconscious daughter.
Meanwhile, a team of paramedics had been dispatched to Keats Island, but midway through their journey over in a water taxi, received the call and diverted to Gambier. BC Ferries gave the first responders right of way to cut across the channel, which cut down on the paramedics’ travel time. “We were so lucky,” said Wendy Burton.
Spencer ran through the darkness without a flashlight to meet the paramedics at New Brighton Dock. He stayed “calm as a cucumber,” said Borley, who was part of the crew of first responders. “We were shocked to find a 12-year-old standing there,” she said. “We’re like, ‘Where’s the car?’ and he’s like ‘It’s just me.’”
Spencer led the team up the road and through back trails to the house. The paramedics, including Keith Andrews, Solly Lutsky and Christopher Parsons took over. According to Wendy Burton, the family had been performing CPR for more than 20 minutes before paramedics arrived.
Erin was transferred to Langdale, where an ambulance delivered her from the water taxi to a waiting helicopter. She and her partner were flown to Vancouver General Hospital where she made a full recovery and was released within hours.
“We are not sure what happened. We think she choked,” said Borley. “It was an airway obstruction, but she doesn’t remember.”
Borley has worked locally for about 30 years and said calls to Keats and Gambier are more frequent in the summertime because of the higher summer population.
Erin Burton and her family are from Kelowna, but visit their family’s seasonal residence in the summer.
“I am so grateful, eternally grateful, for all of the first responders,” Erin told Coast Reporter in an email.
“Everyone from the person who took the 911 call, the dispatcher, Tom the water taxi driver, the paramedics, the people of Gambier who waited with vehicles, the Helijet operators, the firefighters, the ambulance attendants… So many people are responsible for me being here.”
Nancy Ashton, Wendy Burton, and Dyke all have first-aid training, including remote first-aid, but this was the first time they had performed CPR. In the spring, BCEHS travelled to Gambier to provide a seminar on emergency first aid. “They said you’re on your own here, you have to have a plan,” said Wendy Burton.
After the ceremony, Erin’s son Spencer reflected on his actions. “I’m just thinking about how lucky we are, and how great it is that everybody was able to respond so well,” Spencer said. He plans on taking CPR in a couple of years in Grade 10. His advice to anyone who finds themselves in a similar situation: “Make sure in an emergency, stay calm. If no one’s called 911, that’s the best thing you can do.”
